The Middle East is teetering on the brink of a major military confrontation, as a top former Israeli intelligence official issued a dire warning Sunday that the countdown to an “imminent” second war with Iran has begun. The explosive alert suggests Tehran is actively preparing for revenge, with its proxy Hezbollah already mobilizing for a full-scale conflict. This chilling premonition of war unfolds against the paradoxical backdrop of an unprecedented diplomatic breakthrough, as Syria’s new regime pivots dramatically towards a historic security agreement with Israel.
IDF Col. (res.) Dr. Jacques Neriah, a former senior officer in Military Intelligence, delivered the stark assessment amid escalating regional tensions. According to a report from The Jerusalem Post, "Iran readying for 'second round,' as Hezbollah braces for war, ex-IDF intel officer warns," Neriah told 103FM radio, “There is a sense that a war is coming, that Iranian revenge is in the works.” He revealed that Hezbollah operatives have reportedly been ordered to disconnect from their phones, a tactical step often preceding military action. “The Iranians will not be able to live with this humiliation for long,” he stated.
In a dramatic counter-current to this looming conflict, Neriah confirmed groundbreaking talks are underway between Israel and Syria. He explained that Syria’s new leadership under Ahmed al-Sharaa is aggressively seeking to revive the 1974 disengagement agreement, even intercepting Hezbollah-bound weapons shipments to prove its sincerity. "The Syrians want the Israeli front to remain quiet," Neriah noted.
This strategic pivot follows the toppling of Bashar al-Assad, which Neriah claims led to the "collapse of Hezbollah as a regional force" and broke "the chokehold that Iran tried to place around Israel." Consequently, Iran now views the new Syrian government as an enemy to be destroyed, creating a volatile dynamic of both imminent military threat and unprecedented diplomatic opportunity.
Photo: Generated by Gemini AI.